Anglers benefit while hunters suffer

[LifeNRA]

Anglers benefit while hunters suffer from recent decisions

Trout fishermen will be getting more larger trout, but hunters may be losing pheasant hunting and much of the small game tradition.

At a special meeting held Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, a plan was set in place that will boost the average size of stocked trout.

The trout production shift will increase the average weight of adult trout to be stocked by 30 percent, while only requiring a 20 percent cut in the total number raised. Other shifts include increasing the percentage of rainbow trout in the stocking mix and some operational changes in feeding and breeding.

Beginning in 2007, the average trout stocked by the PFBC will weigh in at just under two-thirds of a pound, up from the present average of 0.44 pounds.

In addition to 3.2 million 11-inch trout, the commission's production plan also calls for 30,000 trout averaging 2 pounds and 16 inches in length along with 9,000 golden rainbow trout averaging 14 inches and 1.5 pounds.

The agency's system-wide production goal will remain at the present cap of 1.9 million pounds of adult trout annually with less trout that are far larger then we have been catching.

Apparently the commission listens to the trout fishermen because their decision was a direct response to angler preference documented by participants in the 2002 Pennsylvania Trout Summit and a working group of trout fishing interests who advise the commission on management issues.

The proposed production shift will not apply to trout the commission receives from Allegheny National Fish Hatchery (100,000 per year), those from the Tellico Adult Trout Contract (130,000 per year), or those from the Cooperative Nursery Program (1 million per year).

The change in the program is not related to the recent fishing license fee increase, but instead, a benefit being passed on by the agency officials to anglers who enjoy catching larger fish.

Surprisingly, the commission received the legislative go-ahead for the fishing license fee increase -- even thought they managed to show a profit last year.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission, who showed almost a $7 million loss last year, has yet to receive a hunting license fee increase, and they will be making cuts to their budget to make up for some financial shortcomings.

The commission, which must trim about $3 million from its $68.8 million budget by June 30, may result in fewer pheasants this year. There could be ven less in 2006, and pheasants could possibly be discontinued in 2007.

The commission stocks about 200,000 pheasants each fall, but cutting production to 100,000 birds for the fall 2005 small game-hunting seasons would save about $185,000.

A cut in production would impact the state's youth pheasant hunt that has 20,000 pheasants earmarked for the junior hunters, and the fairly new youth hunting program may be eliminated.

Being a cynic, I wonder if the threat to pheasant hunting and the youth hunt is just a ploy to generate more support from sportsmen who might put more pressure on legislators who make the decision about granting a hunting license fee increase.

The agency is, however, entertaining other ways to cut much-needed fat from the budget, with one more jab at the kids.

Game Commission officials are also considering discontinuing the printing of the agency's popular youth coloring book,s closing the Pymatuning Wildlife Center, reducing employee overtime, eliminating reimbursements for the CREP program and delaying equipment purchases.

If the agency officials make all of the budget cuts, they would save $2,849,734.

The Game Commission needs cut $12.5 to $13 million to cover its expenses in July and August, while it has only $9.7 million in its reserve fund.

I would imagine the Fish and Boat Commission, after seeing the dismal financial condition of the Game Commission, is glad the once-proposed agency merger did not fly.

While the sportsmen might be losing a fine and long-standing pheasant hunting tradition that resulted from financial shortfalls, at least the trout anglers will be well taken care of with larger trout to test their fishing lines.

[RangerClay]

Re: Anglers benefit while hunters suffer

I feel your pain. The phesant program here in NY was shot to pieces years ago. Good Luck!

Ranger